Shoe-machine.



L. M. BROWN.

SHOE MACHINE.

APPucmoN HLED luuz. l9l2.

1,184,618. Patented May 23,1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS M. BROWN, 0F BEVERL MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY COMPANY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SHOE-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed July 2, 1912. Serial No. 707,221.

To ail whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS M. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain Improvements in Shoe-Machines, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, isa specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicatinglike parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to shoe machines and particularly to a machinefor imprinting or otherwise making marks of reference upon soles,insoles or other pieces of material which go to make up a shoe.

In the manufacture of shoes it is usual first to tack an insole to thebottom of the last, to assemble an upper upon the last, and then to pullover the toe portion of the upper and tack it temporarily to the insoleat a few Widely separated points, particularly at the toe and at theends of the tip seam. As the bottom of the insole is perfectly plain,however, and there are no other marks to aid the operator in positioningthe upper, it is diflicult for him to ascertain whether or not the edgeof the tip at the two sides of the forepart of the last has been broughtto the proper positions longitudinally of the last edge by thepulling-over operation. I t is desirable to have the length of the tipvary according to the size of the shoe and it is impossible to determineby the eye the proper length of tip for a particular size of shoe. It isalso quite important that the edge of the tip. or the tip seam, shall bestraight and shall lie in a direction substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal median line of the shoe or shall bear a definitepredetermined angular relation thereto.

It is the object of the present invention to provide means for somarking the sole that the above operation can be performed with ease,accuracv and uniformity.

As an important feature of the means is provided for accuratelypositioning the sole in definite relation to a fixed line of themachine, together with means acting along that line for imprinting theline upon the sole. As herein shown, the line extends transverselyacross the forepart of the sole in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal median invention,

line of the sole and is used by the operator to enable him to positionthe tip line accurately with reference thereto.

As a further feature of the invention the marking means is mounted formovement longitudinally of the shoe sole into and out of position overthe sole and is also mounted for movement vertically into and out ofcontact with the sole. As herein shown these movements take placesimultaneously, the end of the inward movement over the sole beingsubstantially coincident with the end of the vertical movement of themarker against the sole. It is to be understood, however, that thesemovements of the marker may be executed successively or may overlap to agreater or less extent.

As another feature of the invention the marker is mounted adjustably onits carrier so that the angle which the marked line makes with thelongitudinal median line of the sole may be varied at will.

It is also a feature of the invention that the marking die isdiscontinuous and is composed of a number of sections each yieldinglymounted so that a substantially continuous line may be imprinted upon asomewhat irregular surface.

A further important feature of the invention relates to the adjustmentof the gages to position the sole for the operation of the marker. Thedistance of the tip line from the end of the toe varies with the lengthand size of the sole in a substantially fixed ratio to that length. Itis desirable, therefore, that means he provided for positioning the solei rrespectively of its length so that the portion of the sole upon whichthe line or mark corresponding in position to the tip line is to beimpressed should be autouiatieally brought into coincidence with a fixedline of the machine, that line corresponding in horizontal location withthe line to be imprinted by the marking means. Preferably and as hereinshown, the gage which contacts with the heel end of the sole and thegage which contacts with the toe end of the sole are connected foropposite movement in a ratio corresponding to the difference in thetotal length of successive sizes of soles to the dilferenee in lengthfrom the tip line to the toe end of the soles. By this arrangement whenthe heel gage is moved inwardly a certain distance correspondingsubstantially to the difierence in length of successive sizes of soles,the toe gage will also be moved inwardly a 'less distance whichcorresponds substantially to the dilference in length of the toe tip insuccessive sizes of shoes.

The length of the tip of a given size of one style of shoe may not bethe same as that of the same size of another style of shoe. Means istherefore provided for adjusting the gages initially with reference tothe fixed line of the machine at which the tip line mark is made to suitthe length of tips of the particular style of shoe being treated. Theratio of the length of tips of successive sizes is the same for allstyles and hence when once set for the given style the gages are movedin the proper ratio for all sizes of that style. To provide for makingnecessary style adjustments, means permitting relative movement of theparts is provided between the heel gage and the slide through which itsmovement is communicated proportionally to the toe gage.

It is also a feature of this invention that the machine is set intooperation by the introduction of the insole into proper position to bemarked. To effect this the lever which trips the clutch is located underthe sole when the latter is in position to be operated upon and isadapted to be actuated by downward pressure upon the insole by the handof the operator. In this way the introduction of the insole into themachine, and the flattening of it out into position to be marked,automatically starts the machine to perform the marking operation.

Another feature of the invention relates to the means for removing thesole from the machine after the marking operation. As shown, means isprovided for lifting the sole from the table on which it rests anddepositing it on edge at one side of the machine, this operation takingplace automatically after the action of the marking means upon the sole.These and other features of the invention, including various novelconstructions and combinations of parts, will appear more fully from thefollowing detailed description, when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, and from the appended claims.

In the drawings,-Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machineembodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on theline 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the parts above the line2-2,Fig. 1.

The frame or casing which forms the base of the machine is indicated bythe numeral 2 and in this frame is journaled the shaft l which carriesthe pulley wheel 6 to which power is applied to operate the machine. Theupper portion of the casing is extended laterally to form a table uponwhich the sole is laid for the marking operation.

To position the sole on the table centering and thumb nut 18.

stops or gages 1O, 12 are arranged on the table and spaced apart so asto engage the ends of a sole placed between them. The gage 10 is mountedon a slide guided in a slideway ll in the top of the table in which itis held in adjusted position by a screw 16 The opposite gage 12 for thetoe of the sole is similarly mounted on a slide 20 for adjustment in thetable longitudinally of the sole. To provide for the automaticadjustment of the gage 12 in proportion to the adjustment of the gage10,

the slide upon which the gage 10 is mounted is provided with an oifsetwhich is adjustably secured at 15 to a slide 22 which extends lengthwiseof the machine flush with the surface of the table and at its rear endis provided with an offset having a downwardly facing rack 23, Fig. 1,which engages a gear 2% on a shaft 26 journalcd in the frame of themachine. The shaft 26 also carries a pinion 28 which engages rack teethformed on the upper face of a slide 30 formed with an upwardly extendingabutment 32 that is rigidly connected with the slide 20 carrying the toegage 12. The ratio between the gear 2 L and the pinion 28 is such thatas the gage 10 is adjusted for different lengths of sole, movement willbe communicated to the gage 12 to so position it as to bring the tipline a-b of the sole into coincidence with a fixed plane of the machine,namely, the plane in which the markers 56 are moved vertically inimprint the tip line upon the sole. That is. when the gage 10 isadjusted a distance substantially equal to the difference in lengths ofsuccessive sizes of soles the gage 12 will be automatically adjusted inthe proper direction a distance equal substantially to the difierence inlengths of successive sizes of tips. Means comprising an adjustableconnection between the gage 10 and the slide bar 22 is provided by whichthe gages may be set mutually to bring the tip line of the particularstyle of sole being treated into coincidence with the fixed line of themachine at which the mark is made. When set for one sole of a givenstyle the gages will be moved in a fixed ratio to locate automaticallythe tip line of all sizes of that style.

The marking HIBCllitlllSlll with which the machine is provided makes aline across the outer face of the sole at the portion where the edge ofthe tip should come when the upper is lasted over it. When this line isprovided it is very easy for the laster to see whether or not the upperhas been properly pulled to bring the tip seam or tip edge to the properpoint on each side of the shoe and also serves as a point of referencefor the superintendent or inspector in keeping a check on the workmanand enables him to insist on a superior grade of work. The marking meansis carried on a yoke 50 which straddles the table and is pivoted at itslower end to an operating lever 52 by a rod 49. On the cross bar 51 ofthe yoke a marker is pivotally mounted at 54. The marker is composed ofa number of yieldingly held dies or markers 56 which are first inked byan ink roll 58 and are then brought in contact with the sole to form aline across the forepart, arr-b, Fig. 2. The marker may be adjustedabout the pivot 54. by suitable means (shown as a slot and set screwconnection of the marker with the cross-bar of the yoke) to vary theangle which the tip line makes with the longitudinal median line of thesole. By this adjustment, provision is made for variations in thedirection of the tip line in different styles of shoes.

The yoke 50 has a pin and slot connection with the lever 60, Fig. 1,pivoted to the frame at 62 and actuated by engagement of a cam roll 64'located on the lever between its ends with a suitable cam on the mainshaft 4. A pin 66 on the upper end of the lever 60 extends through aslot in the casing or frame 2 and engages a slot 67 in the yoke 50.Therefore as the upper end of the lever 60 is swung forward the yoke 50will be swung about the pivot 49 into a vertical position with themarker 56 over the tip line of the forepart of the sole. During thismovement of the yoke the lever 52 is also actuated by engagement of acam roll 53 with a suitable cam on the shaft 4 to move the markerdownwardly against the sole.

For starting the machine a starting handle 70 is provided which isconnected with an arm 72 011 a rock-shaft 71 having an arm 75 securedthcreto at right angles to the arm 72 and connected by a bar 7 6 withthe dog 78 of a one-revolution clutch which may be of any suitable form.As shown, the handle 70 is located under the sole when it is in positionto be marked so that pressure on the sole causes the handle 70 to bedepressed,

' the dog 78 to be lifted and the clutch members permitted to engage toeffect rotation of the shaft 4.

It is desirable to relieve the operator of the work of removing the solofrom the machine so that his entire attention may be devoted to feedingthe work. For this purpose fingers 80 are provided which are let intothe upper face of the table so as to lie beneath the sole flush with thetable surface. The fingers 80 are fixed to a shaft 82 at the back of themachine. Rotation of the shaft 82 will raise the fingers which willcarry the sole with them and cause it to slide back and rest on edgeagainst the upright stops 84 or against the sole last stacked againstthe stops. The shaft 82 is rotated by movement of a slotted sleeve 86longitudinally of the shaft 82, a pin 88 on the shaft 82 resting in theslot 89 of the sleeve 86. The sleeve 86 is carried by an arm 90 on aslide rod 92 which is operated from an angle lever 94 pivoted at 96 tothe frame and having one arm secured by pin and slot connections to therod and the other in operative relation to a cam 97 on the shaft 4 whichis timed to slide the rod 92 and the sleeve 86 at the proper time in thecycle of the machine to remove the sole from the table to the stack.

It will be seen that the removal of the shoe automatically by themachine permits the starting handle 70 to be returned to its normalposition and the clutch finger 78 to fall back into position to separatethe clutch members and stop the machine at the completion of arevolution of the shaft 4.

Ilaving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a sole marking machine the combination with a table for supportinga sole, of a marker arranged to be moved longitudinally over the soleand to be moved vertically into contact with the sole, and meansengaging the ends of the sole to automatically fix the tip line of asole with relation to the marker.

2. In a sole marking machine, the combination with a table forsupporting a sole, adjustable heel engaging means co-acting with toeengaging means for locating the sole upon the table, a marker extendingtransversely across the sole to indicate thereon the position anddirection of the tip line, and means for actuating the marker into andout of contact with the sole.

3. In a sole marking machine, the combination with a table forsupporting a sole, means for automatically locating the sole withrespect to direction and position regardless of its size on the table, amarker extending transversely across the sole to indicate thereon theposition and direction of the tip line, and means for actuating themarker into and out of position over the sole and into and out ofcontact with the sole.

i. In a sole marking machine the combination with a table to support thesole, of fingers beneath the sole, a marker. means for actuating themarker to mark the sole, gag- 1 ing means to locate the tip line of thesole with relation to the marker, and means for moving the fingers toremove the solo from the table.

5. In a sole marking machine, the coinbiand pivoted beneath the table,means for swinging the yoke over the table and moving it bodily towardthe table, and a vertically pivoted marker means carried by the yoke toengage a sole on the table and make a mark thereon.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table, amarker arranged to be brought automatically over a fixed point on thetable and to be pressed against the table, a gage arranged foradjustment on the table to determine the longitudinal portion of thesole with which the marker will contact and a second gage arranged foradjustment to and from the first gage to admit a sole between them.

8. In a sole marking machine, the combination with a table, ofpositioning means on the table for locating the sole, a power actuatedoscillating marker comprising a plurality of resiliently held markingmembers arranged to be swung over the sole and forced against the sole,and inking means for the marker located in its oscillating path.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a table, amarker arranged to be brought automatically over a fixed point on thetable and to be pressed against the table, a gage arranged foradjustment on the table to determine the longitudinal portion of thesole with which the marker will contact and a second gage arranged foradjustment automatically to and from the first gage to admit a solebetween them, the amount of adjustment of one gage bearing a constantratio less than unity to the amount of adjustment of the other gage.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a worksupport, a marker arranged to operate at a fixed point on the support,end positioning devices for the work and connections between saiddevices whereby the positioning of one positions the otherproportionally to bring the work into a proportional, butnon-symmetrical, relation to the said fixed point.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a worksupport, a marker operating in a fixed horizontal position in saidsupport, centering devices for the heel end and for the toe end of aninner-sole, means for adjusting the heel end gage for different lengthsof soles and connections between the heel end gage and the toe end gagefor automatically adjusting the toe end gage proportionally to themovement of the heel end gage to maintain soles of different lengths inconstant relation to the marking means.

12. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a marker,means for actuating the same to and from a fixed line on the machine, aheel end gage and a toe end gage, connections between the said gageswhereby the adjustment of one will adjust the other proportionally withrelation tosaid fixed line.

13. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a marker,means for actuating the same to and from a fixed line on the machine, aheel end gage and a toe end gage arranged at diiierent distances fromsaid line, connections between the said gages whereby the adjustment ofone will adjust the other in such relation that the distance of thegages from the fixed line will remain in a constant ratio.

14. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a marker,means for actuating the same to and from a fixed line on the machine, aheel end gage arranged at a distance from the line equal to the distancefrom the tip line of the heel end of a given sole, a toe end gagearranged at a distance from said line equal to the length of the toe tipof the said sole, connections between said gages whereby when one isadjusted substantially a distance equal to the difference in length ofsuccessive sizes of soles, the other will be adjusted a distance equalto the difierence in lengths of successive lengths of tips.

15. A machine of the class described having, in combination, a marker,means for actuating the marker to and from a fixed line of the machine,a heel end gage and a toe end gage, connections between the said gageswhereby the adjustment of one will adjust the other proportionally withrelation to said fixed line, and means forvarying the initial relationof the said gages to said fixed line.

16. In a sole marking machine having, in combination, a table forsupporting the sole, a marker, means for locating the sole upon thetable and means attached to the table which is actuated by placing thesole upon the table to operate the marker.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

LOUIS M. BROWN.

Witnesses CHESTER E. Romans, Evnnn'r'r WV. VARNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of intents, Washington, D. 0.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,184,618.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,184,618, granted May23, 1916.

upon the application of Louis M. Brown, of Beverly, Massachusetts, foran improvement in Shoe-Machines, an error appears in the printedspecification requiring 1 correction as follows: Page 4, line 85, claim14, for the word of read to: and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the some may conform to the record of the case in the Patent()ffice.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of July, A. D., 1916.

[SEAL] R. F. WHITEH EAI),

1 Acting Commissioner of Patents. 1 Cl. 101*83.

